5 things you missed: Google science fair, new Verizon offer, more

In this Thursday, April 16, 2009, file photo, Google headquarters in Mountain View, Calif. Google's shareholders are expected to approve on Thursday, June 21, 2012, the company's plan to issue a new class of stock. Google's co-founders, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, and Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt are pushing for the move to ensure that they maintain long-term control of the company.

1. If you could change anything, what would it be? Google wants to know.

Does your kid have an idea that could help improve the world? Google Science Fair 2104 has begun, with online submissions being accepted until May 12.

What is the Google Science Fair? Kids — or teams of kids — aged 13-18, can sign up online and begin working on a project. The top entrant will be rewarded with a 10-day trip to the Galapagos Islands aboard the Endeavor, a ship owned by National Geographic. Other prizes include a $50,000 scholarship and a $10,000 grant for the winner’s school.

Oyster, a subscription e-book service, has launched a children’s section, complete with an agreement with Disney. So not only will there be your standard Dick and Jane books, but books about Mickey Mouse, Cinderella, and many other beloved characters can be downloaded.

In the contest to see who can have the most consumer-friendly contract, Verizon is on the verge of offering an upgrade for “More Everything” customers.

The new plans have upgrades across the services board. Share Everything plans are getting a bump — 500 MB and 1 GB plans will each double and 2GB plans will increase to 3GB. Edge customers will also get a price break of $10 for plans on 8 GB or less of data, and $20 for 10 GB or more. To top off the offer, Verizon will provide 25 GB of Verizon Cloud storage space for the price of $0 — free, nothing, whatever you like to call it.

Keep this up, and people will start to think that these big companies care about their customers. Novel, that idea.